A recent apostolic trip to the southern nations of South America demonstrated the growing ties between the Church and the leaders of many Latin American governments — even as the Church continues to develop in both membership and devotion. On Nov. 14-15, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder D. Todd Christofferson, both members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, together with Elder Ulisses Soares of the Presidency of the Seventy, participated in a review of the South America South Area. Several training meetings highlighted their tour with priesthood leaders, members and missionaries — along with cordial visits with civic and religious leaders in Chile and Paraguay. Just over a year ago the Chile Area and the South America South Area were consolidated into a single area consisting of four countries — Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Three dozen missionaries are now back in Puerto Rico, with more to arrive from the MTC soon. They continue to serve and help after the devastation of Hurricane Maria and are having great success in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A new video tour of the Rome Italy Temple from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints features an introduction by President Russell M. Nelson and a tour led by two apostles, Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Ronald A. Rasband. They show and discuss the Rome Temple’s various rooms and areas, which mirror what is found in all Latter-day Saint temples around the world. These include the baptistry, instruction rooms, the bride’s room, marriage sealing rooms and the celestial room.

"President Thomas S. Monson once said: 'This is my day of opportunity. I will not waste it.' What a wonderful 'day of opportunity' we have before us. Let’s not waste it! We feel the privilege and call of a living prophet in the last days—to prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."

Violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and her four musical children—age 16, 14, 13, and 11—have performed all over the world, from Austria to Japan and Taiwan. Recently, Jason Lyle Black, known as the "Backwards Piano Man," approached the Bakers about teaming up for an epic Disney cover.

Emphasizing that Christmas traditions of giving are rooted in the life, message and mission of Jesus Christ, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles heralded the Christmas season at the Washington D.C. Temple and Visitors’ Center on Dec. 2. With honored guest, Manuel Sager, Ambassador of Switzerland, Elder Christofferson switched on more than 600,000 lights that will illuminate the temple grounds until Jan. 1, 2014, as part of the annual Festival of Lights.Other special guests for the lighting ceremony included members of the Washington diplomatic, political, business and religious communities. Also attending the ceremony were Sister Kathy Christofferson and Mrs. Christine Sager. J.W. Marriott Jr. and his wife, Donna, once again hosted the event as they have for 36 years, and Ann Santini of the Office of Public and International Affairs noted that the lights were a beacon to all of Washington, saying “come join us.”

The landscape of education and the workplace is changing rapidly, making skills-based education and real-world experience more important than ever before.

Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé remembers the moment he first heard an arrangement of "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" by his friend and accomplished Italian composer Nicolas Giusti. "I was shocked," Bishop Caussé says. "I listened to it, and I called him right away and I said, 'Nicolas, are you aware, this is a sad theme? Are you aware of this? And you composed joyful music.' And he said, 'Well we can find happiness even in the darkest times of our lives.'"

Elder David A. Bednar spoke about an important aspect of repentance during a Mission Leadership Seminar.

It comes as no shock that Utah is the state with the largest percentage of Latter-day Saints living in the United States with 31.6%. Some might be surprised that California is ahead of both Idaho and Arizona with 11.3% but given the size of California and its high population, this makes a lot of sense. State size and population is perhaps the same reason Texas and Washington come in at 5.4% and 4.3% respectively. A new graphic from the Church News, allows us to explore the breakdown of Latter-day Saints in the United States by state.